Hitting A Golf Fade Shot Off The Tee

The fade shot can be a very useful shot when playing on any golf course.

Shaping the golf ball on demand shows great control of the golf swing. It can be a useful shot to have in the bag when positioning the golf ball off the tee. Playing with or against the wind, this shot can also be very valuable. The fade shot is one that starts to the left of target and finishes on target in a controlled manner (left handed - draw shot that starts to the right of target and finishes on target in a controlled manner).

Problem - A great deal of players try to fade the golf ball by adjusting elements at set up such as opening the face to the target and aiming the feet/body open to the target. This does not result in a fade shot but most of the time leads to a shot that will start to the right of the target and will curve more right as the club face has the most influence on where the golf ball starts. To hit the perfect fade, the swing path needs to be more slightly outside to inside and the face open to that swing path, however closed to the target.

Fix - Place a tee peg about two feet behind the ball and about one foot further away from you. Place another about two feet in front of the ball and one foot closer to you. The idea is to swing the golf club from the marker away from the target (outside) then make contact with the golf ball, and allow the golf club to swing over the other marker that is beyond the golf ball (inside). This will encourage a more outside to inside swing path causing the ball to spin on a fade axis. Now as long as the golf club face is slightly open to the swing path but closed to the target, the golf ball will start left of target and turn towards the target.

Key point - If you are looking down at the golf ball and picture a clock face about two feet around the golf ball with the ball in the middle of the clock. 12 o’clock is pointing at the target and 9 o’clock is pointing at you. Use the numbers to help promote a fade. Swing the club head back in the swing straight over 6 o’clock and carry on to the top of the swing. From there, change the direct the club comes back in to the golf ball by swinging outside from 5 o’clock and exit the ball at 11 o’clock (inside). Point the club face at 12 o’clock to create the perfect fade.

Left handed - If you are looking down at the golf ball and picture a clock face about two feet around the golf ball with the ball in the middle of the clock. 12 o’clock is pointing at the target and 3 o’clock is pointing at you. Use the numbers to help promote a fade. Swing the club head back in the swing straight over 6 o’clock and carry on to the top of the swing. From there change the direct the club comes back in to the golf ball by swinging outside from 7 o’clock and exit the ball at 1 o’clock (inside). Point the club face at 12 o’clock to create the perfect fade.